Paul Ryan Says 'Climate Change Occurs No Matter What'

While Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) believes the Earth's climate is changing, he doesn't think mankind should do anything about it.

"Climate change occurs no matter what," Ryan said Wednesday, as quoted by CNN. "The question is, can and should the federal government do something about it?"

"And I would argue the federal government, with all its tax and regulatory schemes, can't. And all it will do is end up hurting our country, our people and especially low-income individuals," he added.

Addressing reporters at a Christian Science Monitor breakfast in Washington, D.C., the House Budget Committee chairman said he opposed newly proposed Environmental Protection Agency rules that would cut power plant carbon dioxide emissions by 30 percent by 2030.

"So I don't see a solution here," he said, according to The Hill. "I see an excuse to grow government, raise taxes and slow down economic growth."

The former Republican vice presidential nominee, who is considered a possible contender for the White House in 2016, spoke differently about the issue of climate change years ago.

In a 2009 Journal Times editorial, Ryan accused scientists of using "statistical tricks to distort their findings and intentionally mislead the public on the issue of climate change." He also cited the weather in his state, which he noted was "buried under snow," to argue against climate regulations.